As aging baby boomers consider staying in their homes, Universal Design and Aging in Place will be gaining more momentum in the years to come.
What Is Universal Design and Aging in Place?
Universal Design is a concept that focuses on comfort, ease of access, and maneuverability within homes for all people, while aging in place is a popular lifestyle option for seniors preferring to safely and independently live in their homes.
Did You Know?
According to AARP, 89% of people 50+ wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely (AARP) and 75% of remodelers have seen an increase in requests for aging in place work (NAHB).
Suggested Aging In Place home modifications include:
- Installing lights strategically to maintain a well-lit hallway
- Having non-slip interior and exterior flooring
- Replacing knobs with levers handles
- Setting up cabinetry with rollout cabinets and lazy susans
- Mounting adequate handrails for stairways and ramps
NAHB, in partnership with AARP and the NAHB Research Center, has created a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to teach remodeling professionals how to modify homes specifically geared towards Aging-In-Place. For more information, you can visit their website at http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=717&genericContentID=46799.
Helpful Universal Design and Aging in Place links:
Toolbase.org-
http://www.toolbase.org/ToolbaseResources/level3.aspx?BucketID=2&CategoryID=22
AARP-
http://www.aarp.org/families/home_design/universaldesign/a2004-03-23-whatis_univdesign.html
NAHB Aging in Place Checklist- http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=717&genericContentID=89801
Center for Universal Design-
http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/
1 comment:
by Konrad Kaletsch, October 8, 2008
http://www.universaldesignresource.com/
It is fantastic to see home remodelers begin as a community to talk to each other about universal design. Your article was very generous in providing links. I want to highlight one opportunity is this housing crisis: although there is little new building taking place now, and probably in the next years, remodeling has a distinct advantage especially when universal design is the selling point. You can target older populations and market to them the advantages of making a home universal design. The interest in staying at home rather than moving to assisted living is a powerful motivator. In addition, we will soon see that universal design homes have a higher resale value.
My name is Konrad Kaletsch and I am the founder of Universal Design Resource. This website is a resource for builders and homeowners: http://www.universaldesignresource.com/. In early 2009, it will be updated to include forums, discussions and other ways to share knowledge and experience; please consider adding my link to your resources. My blog looks at universal design from a philosophical approach and would be helpful for builders looking for a means to discuss universal design with clients: http://universaldesignresource.blogspot.com/. I am also publishing a 60 page manual this December that highlights in depth all the details one considers in a universal design home; it is designed to foster dialogue between home owner and builder.
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